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The FAA has recently updated the airport terminal area fuel consumption methods used in its environmental models. These methods are based on fitting manufacturers’ fuel consumption data to empirical equations. The new fuel consumption methods have adequate fidelity in the terminal area to assist air transportation policy makers in weighing the costs and benefits of competing environmental and economic demands. Comparison with Flight Data Recorder information for in-service airline operations shows these new methods can accurately capture the consequences of different terminal departure and arrival procedures on airplane fuel consumption within a reasonable level of uncertainty.